Leh, March 13: The Principal Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment Department Dr. Pawan Kotwal chaired a meeting to discuss the action plan for a special drive for afforestation in Ladakh at the Civil Secretariat, Leh.

The Principal Secretary gave directions to the concerned officials to submit a site-wise plan for tree plantation to be undertaken by April. Further, he proposed convening a meeting of all ‘stakeholders’ to discuss and plan the plantation drive. As part of the initiative, Dr. Kotwal said it is vital to work closely with the local communities to identify suitable areas for afforestation. Highlighting the importance of well-maintained pasture lands from a practical standpoint, Dr. Kotwal gave directions that pasture lands should be kept out of the plantation drive.

The initiative aims to increase the area’s forest cover and ensure that the region’s natural resources are conserved and protected.

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In the meeting, the Principal Secretary was informed that 21 locations have been identified for tree plantation; these include sites in the Leh range, Nubra range, Nyoma range, Durbuk range, etc.  The plantation drive will undertake the plantation of indigenous plants such as sea buckthorn, black gooseberry, Maricha, etc.

The meeting was attended by Jigmat Takpa Principal Chief Conservator of Forest; Sajjad Hussain Mufti, Chief Conservator of Forest/ Chief Wildlife Warden; Shrikant Suse, Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Santosh Sukhadeve, Deputy Commissioner, Kargil; Dhawan Kumar Rawat, Divisional Forest Officer, Leh; Suman Beniwal, Deputy Conservator of Forest, HQ, Leh; Mohd Ali, Divisional Forest Officer; Pankaj Raina Wildlife Warden, Leh, and Raza Ali Abidi, Wildlife Warden, Kargil.